Crime novelist Elmore Leonard, wife divorcing

Court records show acclaimed crime novelist Elmore Leonard is divorcing his wife of 18 years.

The Detroit News reports (http://j.mp/q3iWLm ) Thursday that he and Christine Leonard split earlier this year and she filed for divorce in May. Oakland County Circuit Court records say Christine Leonard cited a breakdown in the marriage for unspecified reasons.

The 86-year-old Leonard, who lives in suburban Detroit, has written more than 40 Westerns, crime novels and mysteries. Many of his books _ notably "Out of Sight," "Get Shorty" and "Be Cool" _ have become films.